Minor Hack / No Root Needed: OnLive Can Be Installed on the Amazon Kindle Fire

By: Maurice Handler

While most Android owners have been able to install and play the official OnLive player app since it launched a few weeks ago, Apple iOS and Amazon Kindle Fire users have still been left in the dark. While, the iOS and Kindle Fire apps are expected to be released soon, as with all great things, it’s very difficult to keep waiting.

There are rumors swirling that the official Amazon Kindle Fire OnLive app will be released sometime in January, but there is no official word from OnLive on when we will see it released. Just like the Apple App Store, there is a certification process which Amazon will surely be putting the app through. Rumors are just rumors, and odds are that they are bogus.

However, there is some good news for owners of the Kindle Fire. The $199 tablet does run a modified version of Android 2.3 OS, which is the version that the OnLive app has been created for.

This means that the tablet can in fact run the Android App, without any modifications. However, it does require a minor hack. Don’t worry though, there is no need to root your device. (We’d like to thank OnLiveFans forum member “riotr” for bringing this subject to our attention).

All you have to do is change a setting. Simply go into your “options/device” menu, and turn “installations of applications from unknown sources” on. This will allow you to install the native OnLive Android app on your device, without having to go through the Amazon Kindle App Store.

Once you have done this, you can simply send yourself the OnLive apk file via email or download it through dropbox (or another location), and install it on your Kindle Fire. Make sure, if you download it from somewhere, it is from a trusted source.

Once you have the APK on your device, you will need to run it. To do this, use “Quick Office”, or any other file manager you have on your Kindle Fire. After doing this, you should be able to run the app just like other Android users.

One thing you will notice is that the Amazon Kindle Fire does not support Bluetooth, so the Universal OnLive Wireless Controller will not work directly with it. However, the device does have a USB 2.0 port, and OnLive ships a USB wireless dongle with their Universal Controllers. While we have not confirmed that the dongle will be compatible with the Kindle Fire, we have no reason to believe that it will not.

Do you have an Amazon Kindle Fire? Have you installed the OnLive App? Have you tried the Wireless OnLive Universal controller with it via the dongle? Let us know at OnLiveFans.com Forum.

You can also find links to the Android OnLive App download at our forum.